Building the Co-op: 1975 to 1980s

This article looks at how from setting up a local co-op a group of women moved into a series of neighbouring buildings and adapted them to their needs – a wonderful example of how the buildings themselves have become a symbol of the group’s advancement. 

The April issue of Gully News told the story of the origins of MDLC and how in 1974 a group of women sought funding and set up a business structure, unique for women at the time, in the form of a Women’s Co-operative. 

During 1975, as members increased, they looked for buildings to house their activities. They founded a shop for the sale of craft work in The Basin. In Ferntree Gully Village they looked for classroom spaces for women’s education. 

The Church

By September 1975 negotiations were underway for a Women’s Care Group to rent the Methodist Church in The Avenue, Ferntree Gully. This run down building was to serve as a women’s drop-in centre along with space for childminding, discussion groups, craft classes and other interpersonal and educational classes, including HSC.

The agreement with the Parish Council included an $18 weekly donation, plus maintenance and cleaning to be the responsibility of the Co-op. The move took place in September, 1975. From the near derelict church they fashioned a workable space. ‘There was an area at the back, plus the church, and a long ‘veranda thing’ that became an office. They had childcare in the back, a drop-in day once a week, classes in the church and other classes in a ‘bigger in-between bit’.  

Among the first groups to meet were a Council of Adult Education book discussion group and a yoga class that commenced in September. (The book club continues to meet as do exercise classes in continuity with the yoga class.)

In February 1976 the Mountain District Women’s Centre was officially opened by journalist and author Anne Latrielle in front of a large audience overflowing from the old church in The Avenue into the adjacent rooms and onto the veranda. Local dignitaries attended and an ABC television programme filmed the event to mark International Women’s Year. The ABC programme was well received and gave tremendous publicity to the Women’s Centre. The Co-op’s relationship with what became the Ferntree Gully Uniting Church continues to this day. 

The Cottage

Next the Church offered the Co-op the use of an adjoining small house that had been the home of the Methodist minister. It had been rented out by the Church and had become vacant. It was in poor repair but seemed the logical answer to the disruption to programs caused by alterations to the church. It would provide more space for classes – although additional money would be needed to cover the rent.  

After many hours spent in painting and generally re-organising the minister’s previous residence, ‘The Cottage’ was officially opened by the Mayor of Knox, Councillor Marie Wallace, on 6 July 1979 as part of Knox City’s 10th anniversary celebrations. 

In 1980 the HSC program was expanded to five subjects as a result of TAFE money provided to pay teacher’s salaries. Lower fees for HSC students were applied. More space was available with the use of rooms in The Cottage.

The numbers of women enrolled for English Expression were so high that a second class was formed. The numbers of craft classes had also increased with the use of The Cottage, and this high level continued throughout 1980. Over 400 people per week were attending the Co-op by this stage and the Board had their work cut out to keep up with the growing responsibilities.

The Studio

The third building to be provided was a portable classroom erected behind the cottage. This was donated by Box Hill TAFE and assembled by their young male students. 

The building came to be known as The Studio. It was completed in October 1982 and a barbecue was held to thank the 20 boys who had carried out the construction. It was officially opened, upon completion of a large logo window, in June 1983 with 60 people attending. Like the Church and the Cottage, this building, over the next 40 years, has fulfilled its promise to offer a home to many community activities  – and still does.

13 – 15 The Avenue

Later in the 1980s the property at 15 The Avenue came on the market and staff members put up their own homes as security for the purchase. In 1985 they also purchased 13 The Avenue and obtained approval of the two houses as a public building. They moved administration rooms from the Cottage to houses opposite while classes continued in Church, Studio and Cottage.

Anne Boyd

Anne Boyd, a former Board member of MDLC, has drawn upon research done by former Board Chair, Carolyn Hirsch.